Call to Earth: Astronauts Send a Message from Space to Global Leaders at #COP21 Urging Action on Climate Change

Today, as part of the 2015 U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, "Action Day" participants will view the video Call to Earth - A Message from the World's Astronauts, featuring International Space Station Commander Scott Kelly, Flight Engineer Kjell N. Lindgren, and 16 astronauts from 6 countries urging leaders of COP21 to take action to mitigate climate change now, not tomorrow.

The video was produced by astronaut Ron Garan and Planetary Collective, the award winning filmmakers behind the short film Overview, the groundbreaking full-length feature documentary Planetary, and the upcoming space documentary Orbital.

The idea to ask astronauts to give their views on the importance of the UN Climate Conference emerged during the recent One Young World Summit in Bangkok, the annual gathering of thousands of young leaders from all over the world. As a long-time speaker and counselor at One Young World, astronaut Ron Garan reached out to his colleagues requesting they share a simple message of solidarity, hope and collaboration to combat climate change that would reach political leaders during such a crucial time.

In less than three days, an outpouring of messages streamed in from astronauts around the world - eyewitnesses to profound changes to our planet they've seen first hand while in orbit. The messages were produced by members of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE), the professional association of flown astronauts, cosmonauts and taikonauts. ASE assists members to communicate their unique perspective of Earth to help stimulate humanity's sense of responsibility for our home planet.

Call to Earth: Astronauts Send a Message from Space to Global Leaders at #COP21 Urging Action on Climate Change

Today, as part of the 2015 U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, \"Action Day\" participants will view the video Call to Earth - A Message from the World's Astronauts, featuring International Space Station Commander Scott Kelly, Flight Engineer Kjell N. Lindgren, and 16 astronauts from 6 countries urging leaders of COP21 to take action to mitigate climate change now, not tomorrow.